Police seek ties with ethical hackers

The National Police Agency said Thursday it will promote communications with ethical hackers to better combat cybercrimes and cyber-attacks.

The agency hopes the move will help it collect more information on such crimes, including releases of viruses designed to remotely control infected computers.

This is the agency’s first organized effort to promote relations with ethical hackers, although some police investigators have formed such connections on their own.

In addition, the agency will consider personnel exchanges with companies and universities in the information and communications field. It will also consider commissioning analyses of cybercrimes and cyber-attacks to the private sector.

The agency will also call on companies to take steps aimed at preventing personal information from leaking from smartphones through apps.